On Monday, Statesboro City Council voted to approve an ordinance allowing liquor sales effective April 1. The decision was reached during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. Councilwoman Venus Mack was not present and Councilman John Riggs participated virtually.
Following months of revisions and discussion regarding the allocation of tax revenue, the council unanimously agreed to move forward with the ordinance on what Mayor Jonathan McCollar called “a historic day” for Statesboro.
City Attorney Cain Smith clarified that the most recent version of the ordinance excludes the previously discussed minimum square footage requirement. He also stated that language was added that will prohibit the opening of a “package store” (a business engaged in the sale of liquor) within 100 yards of “any existing building on any [college] campus.” Business owners will also be prohibited from opening a package store within 1,000 yards of another business selling liquor.
As approved, the ordinance includes a policy goal which states “that a minimum of fifty percent of excise tax proceeds collected from Package Stores… be allocated to social services contracts… to provide beneficial youth and other social services to the City of Statesboro and its citizenry.” After some discussion on language and Smith clarified the non-binding nature of the proposed policy, Councilman Phil Boyum made the motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Riggs.
Watch full meeting VIDEO here:
Council approves design proposal for Creek on the Blue Mile project
Following a scheduled work session, City Council members unanimously approved the proposal from Freese and Nichols, Inc. to perform engineering design and permitting services for the Creek on the Blue Mile project in the amount of $2,650,450.
The proposal was initially presented to Council on February 15. However, Councilman Boyum moved to table the item and allow for additional discussion.
Other Business
- Approved a motion to adopt the resolutions, plans, and policies necessary for the administration of the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program
- Tabled a motion to award a contract to Everside Health for an onsite employee health clinic in the amount of $286,126
- Approved a motion to award an alcohol license to "The Station", a restaurant located at 441 South Main Street, Unit 2B
- Approved a motion to increase the monthly spending limit for the City's Purchasing Card Program from $300,000 to $500,000
- Approved several motions to reclassify various personnel positions
- Approved applications for grants from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Employment Incentive Program
- Approved an six-month extension of the existing moratorium on issuance of signage variances (Article XV of Appendix A of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances)
- Approved a proposed agreement with Georgia Power Company in the amount of $224,900 for the Blue Mile Streetscape Improvements project
- Approved a motion to amend award of contract with National Auto Fleet Group in the amount of $60,000 (due to price increase) for the purchase of a dump trailer for the City's Public Utilities Department
